DECISION '98

Gore Says Voters Do Not Want Lengthy Impeachment Inquiry

WASHINGTON — Vice President Al Gore said Democratic wins in several high-profile races Tuesday served notice to Republicans that voters do not want a lengthy impeachment investigation of President Clinton.

"The message all over the country is that they want us to get back to work on the people's business," Gore said in a Boston radio interview. "All the Republicans have offered . . . was more investigations and more partisanship."

Later this month, the House Judiciary Committee will gear up its investigation into whether Clinton should be impeached over the Monica S. Lewinsky affair.

Gore said Democratic victories in the Alabama and South Carolina governor's races and in the North Carolina Senate race demonstrated that voters favored candidates who talked about issues such as Social Security, education, health care and the environment.

"Although all the results aren't in yet, Americans had a choice, and they chose progress over partisanship," Gore said. "It's a great night for Democrats and a great night for the country."